Rebrand & Culture Building / C1CU

Community First Credit Union had a two-color design palette and no supporting graphics library because budgets were tight, so most custom assets were not an option. My challenge was creating a brand that felt approachable and engaging without relying on traditional creative tools.

The work began with a refreshed corporate identity and an ownable name, C1CU. The visual system stayed intentionally practical, with colors informed by off-the-shelf promotional items, making the brand easy to roll out and maintain.

The work became most impactful through a close partnership with the head of Sales, focusing on how the organization could be more efficient. With the limited creative budget, our emphasis shifted to consistency in execution and innovative ideas. Through our partnership, internal communications became a deliberate investment, integrated into onboarding and training with what became known as our internal brand book. This approach earned recognition from CUES for making a meaningful impact on a very small budget and proved that smart, focused design can carry real weight.